Machine for impacting pigments against a rotating disk element



Aug. 31, 1948.

H. R. RAFTON 12,448,049 MACHINE FOR IHPACTING PIGHENTS AGAINST A ROTATING DISK ELEMENT Filed larch 16, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 56 grwvwto'b 66' M42010 2 PnFm/ J5 55' s g y us- 1948- H. R. RAFTON 2,448,049

"ACHINE FOR IHPACTING PIGMENTS AGAINST A ROTATING DISK ELEMENT 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1943 H. R. RAFTON CHINE FOR IHPACTING PIGIENTS AGAINST Aug. 31. 1948.

4 A ROTATING DISK ELEMENT Filed larch 16, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 3mm 56 HAmLDiF/FAFTON I W////////////// I W W h flllllll I I I Aug. 31, 1948. H. R. RAFr'oN 2,448,049

. IACHIKE FOR IIPAGTING PIGHENTS AGAINST A ROTATING DISK ELEMENT Filed larch 16, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 31, 1948. H. R. RAF-row 2,448,049

CHINE FOR IIPACTING PIGIENTS AGAINST A ROTATING DISK ELEIBNT '7 Sheets-Shun 5 Filed larch 1a, 1943 I I I I HARowEEm-"mn Aug. 31, 1948. H, RAFTON 2,448,049

IAGHINE FOR IIPACTING PIGIIENTS AGAINST A ROTATING DISK ELEMENT '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed larch 16, 1943 1 H/mom PArm/v Patented Aug. 31, 1948 MACHINE FOR IMPACTING PIGMENTS AGAINST A ROTATING DISK ELEMENT Harold R. Ration, Andover, Masa, assignor to Rafton Engineering Corporation, a corporation of Massachusetts AppllcatlonMarch 16, 194.3,Serial No. 479,373 a Claims. (c1. 241-188) My invention relates to machines for treating materials by striking. It more particularly relates to a machine for the treatment by striking of solids in liquid suspension, and more particularly pigments in liquid suspension. It further relates to the use in a machine of a rotating element or rotor element provided with one or more striking surfaces, preferably a plurality of striking surfaces.

My invention further relates to a machine which provides for the striking of material, for example a liquid, or liquid suspension, in the form of at least one stream, jet or the like discharged under pressure, particularly in a plane of rotation of the rotor element, directed substantially toward the center of rotation of said element.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of a machine suitable for the treatment of materials, and particularly for the treatment of solid in liquid suspension. to change the characteristics of the materials, and particularly to impart specific and controlled characteristics to the materials.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for the treatment of materials of the character referred to. wherein jets of the material. are subjected to a, highly efficient impacting or shocking action to secure the desired results.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein a highly effective treatment of'the material by impact or shock isaccomplished with minimum power by eliminating movement of the shock elements in any substantial contact with the material except that being fed theretoin the jets from suitable nozzles.

A further object is to provide a novel apparatus of the character referred to wherein a rotary element is employed having striking faces so disposed with respect to the jets of material projected thereto as to efiect the most efllcient possible shocking action on the material.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to wherein the parts are so constructed as to provide for the substantially immediate escape of the material fromcontact with the rotating member after the shock action has been performed, whereby the rotary member is prevented from rotating in any appreciable body of the material to minimize the amount of 2 my copendin application Serial No. 449,492, flled July 2, 1942. Such application was abandoned in. favor of my copending application Serial No.

718,649, filed December 2'7, 1946, in which is dis- 5 closed the treatment of material, particularly calcium carbonate suspended in a liquid, by a rotating element provided with striking surfaces, and in which the preferred machine for conducting this treatment is described, but not claimed. (My said application Serial No. 718,649 is a continuation of and contains all of the disclosure in my said abandoned application Serial No. 449,492.) This machine, described in further detail, and illustrated by drawings, is claimed is herein. (This application is also a continuation in part of two other of my eopending applications which will be specifically referred to later herein.)

Machines which have hitherto been proposed for striking materials, for example liquids, or solids in suspension in liquids, have usually operated either with the rotating element dipping into or immersed in the liquid, or with the liquid introduced at or near the center of the surface of the rotating element and discharged at its periphery, or with the liquid introduced near the periphery of the rotating element, or the like, in many cases in conjunction with a fixed or moving primary or secondary impact member, surface or surfaces. In any case where the rotating element is disposed in, or is exposed to, a substantial volume of the liquid, the power requirements are excessive and furthermore all the liquid may not be treated, except after 9, prolonged time, and where solids are treated in liquid suspension the wear on the moving element is great. In the types of machines where the liquid is introduced at or near the center or somewhere near the periphery, the power requirement, although somewhat less, is still large, and when using solids in liquid suspension, the wear, which is very substantial, is not compensated for and the rotating elements have to be quickly replaced. Defects such as these have made .such machines uneconomical, diihcult to maintain, and even, in many 5 instances, entirely impractical for commercial operation.

My machine has the advantages, among others, that it is economical of power because the material to be treated, for example a liquid, occupies 50 only a small space at the points of contact with the striking surfaces of the rotor element, the power being employed directly in striking the liquid and not in pumping, circulating, swirling, or projecting it, that all the liquid is struck at 55 every contact with the striking surfaces, that all the wear on the striking surfaces, if there is wear, is that resulting from useful work, that extremely simple means are provided for compensating for or avoiding this wear, and that more intense effects and more efllcient results are obtained. This combination of relatively low power, more intense eifects, and high efficiency makes my machine unique and, in all its adaptations, the problem of wear is provided for in a simple and effective manner, whereby the machine may be run efficiently and economically, in substantially continuous operation if desired.

The invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description based thereon. In the drawings I have shown several embodiments of my invention, including my machine itself as well as individual parts thereof, which are all intended to be illustrative only, and not limiting. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one adaptation of my machine;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2--2 of Figure 1; t

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the casing end, with the door removed, of the adaptation of my machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section, in fragmentary form, on an enlarged scale, on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5a is a front elevational view of the door of the adaptation of my machine shown in Figure 1 as well as of the adaptation shown in Figure 6 below;

Figure 5b is a front elevational view, in fragmentary form, on an enlarged scale, showing detail of a door fastening device for bottom edge of door shown in Figure'fia;

Figure 5c is a section on line 50-50 ofFigure 5b;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a second adaptation of my machine;

Figure 7 is a section on line '!'-'i of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the easing end, with the door removed, of the adaptation of my machine shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9a is a plan view of a door suspension applicable to the adaptations of my machine shown in Figure 1 and in Figure 6; 9

Figure 9b is a front elevational view of the door suspension shown in Figure 9a;

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a fragmentary portion of a door, similar to the door shown in Figure 5a, but provided with a perforated extension for engagement with the hook of the door suspension shown in Figures 9a and 9b;

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of one type of a rotor element;

Figure 12 is a section on line I2|2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a front elevational view of another type of a rotor element;

Figure 14 is a section on line "-44 of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a front elevational view of still another type of rotor element;

Figure 16 is a plan view of the uppermost vertical blade of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a front elevational view of still another type of rotor element;

Figure 18 is a section on line l8--l8 of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a plan view of still another type of rotor element;

Figure 20 is a plan view of still another type of rotor element;

Fig re 21 is a front elevational view of a circular saw;

Figure 22 is a section on line 2222 of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary view of Figure 21 on an enlarged scale, showing an individual tooth;

Figure 24 is similar to Figure 23, except that the tooth is shown in perspective;

Figure 25 is a front elevational view in fragmentary form of one variety of an inserted tooth circular saw;

Figure 26 is an enlarged front elevational view of the tooth used in the circular saw of Figure 25:

Figure 27 is a front elevational view in fragmentary form of another variety of an inserted tooth circular saw;

Figure 28 is an enlarged front elevational view of the tooth used in the circular saw of Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a front elevational view in frag-' mentary. form of still another variety of an inserted tooth circular saw;

Figure 30 is an enlarged front elevational view of the tooth used in the circular saw of Figure 29;

Figure 31 is a front elevational view in fragmentary form of still another variety of an inserted tooth circular saw;

Figure 32 is an enlarged front elevational view of the insert used in the circular saw of Figure 31;

Figure 33 is a section, in fragmentary form, on line 3333 of Figure 31:

Figure 34 is an enlarged view in perspective of a tooth, such as used in the circular saw of Figure 25, tipped with very hard material;

Figure 35 is a view of an enlarged fragmentary portion of the circular saw shown in Figure 21, showing one position of a jet;

Figure 36a. is also a view of an enlarged fragmentary portion of the circular saw shown in Figure 21, showing another position of a, jet;

Figure 36b is a section on line 36b36b of Figure 36a;

Figure 37a is also a view of an enlarged fr'agmentary portion of the circular saw shown in Figure 21, showing still another position of a jet;

Figure 37b is a section on line 3lb-3lb of Figure 37a;

Figure 38a is a fragmentary plan view of a circular saw with teeth sloping back at an angle from one side of the leading radial surface;

Figure 38b is a fragmentary elevational view on line 38b-38b of Figure 38a, in perspective, showing the teeth of Figure 38a;

Figure 380 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the circular saw of Figure 21;

Figure 39a is a front elevational view of the saw tooth of Figure 23 and a radial jet, showing effect of windage;

Figure 39b is a front elevational view of the saw tooth of Figure 23 and a jet slightly less than radial toward the oncoming tooth, also showing ffect of windage;

Figure 40 is a view of an enlarged fragmentary portion of the circular saw shown in Figure 21, with nozzles positioned adjacent thereto;

Figure 41a is a front elevational view of a device for adjusting a nozzle radially, portions being broken away and a portion being shown in section;

Figure 41b is a front elevational view similar to Figure 41a, showing further detail, portions being broken away;

Figure 410- is a side elevational view of Figure 41b, in part cross sectional, portions being broken away, showing further detail:

Fig. 42 is a view in perspective of another device for adjusting a nozzle radially. a portion being broken away; s

Figure 43 is a fragmentary longitudinal axial sectional view of a fitting for a tube with a flared end:

FigureAta is a longitudinal sectional view of a nozzle:

Figure bis a view. from the orifice end, of the nozzle of Figure 44a;

Figure 45 is a sectional view in fragmentary form of a nozzle and feed device;

Figure 46 is a sectional view in fragmentary formof another type of nozzle and feed device.

In the drawings, similar numerals indicate like parts. A part designated by a numeral followed by a prime is a duplicate of the part designated by said numeral. In all figures where it is shown in connection with a rotor element, a curved arrow indicates the direction of rotation of the rotor element. 4 To describe my machine itself, I shall first consider Figure 1, which illustrates the first adaptation of my machine, referred to above, in' which the problem of wear on the striking surfaces may be taken care of either by the employment of extremely hard or tough substantially wear resistant material for the striking surfaces or leading faces thereof, or by the use of replaceable striking surfaces which may be replaced when worn. 58 is the base (preferably of cast iron) of the machine of which 55 represents one of two extensions. Feet 58 of casing 59 are mounted on extensions 55, and rotor element 12 (not shown here but shown in Figure 3) in casing 59 is rotated by means of shaft 54, mounted in bearings '53 and 53', connected through flexible coupling 52 to, and driven by motor I. Gland 51, attached to back plate 88 of casing 59 by cap screws 58, and provided with packing (not shown), maintains a seal between back plate 88 and shaft 54. Elbow fitting 81 screwed on to pipe nipple 58 which connects into conduit I8 (not shown here but shown in Figure 3) inside casing 59, carries a supply of liquid or slurry to conduit I8. Door 5|, provided with handles 82, is held tightly against casing 59 by swing bolts 84 and 54', swinging on cap screws 89 and 53, engaging slots I82 and I82, and tightened in place by wing nuts 85 and 85'. For purposes of simplicity and clarity in the drawings, only two sets of slots I82 and I82, swing bolts 64 and 54', and associated parts are shown, but actually there are mar; more of these, substantially equall spaced, extending around the periphery of door 5| and casing 59, except at the bottom, where the is stening device shown in Figures 5b and 50 (to be described later) is used in their stead. Cap screws 85 and 95' fasten conduit I8 to black plate 58 by means of feet 289 (see Figure 4) Figure 2 shows the rear view of the casing end of the machine shown in Figure 1. with shaft 54 projecting through gland 51 of back plate 88 of casing 59, and pipes 88 and 88' connecting into elbow fittings 61 and 51'. Certain other of the numbered parts described under Figure 1 are also shown. as well as parts 89 and 18 described under Figure 3 below. Figure 3, the front view of the casing end of the machine shown in Figure 1, with the door removed, shows rotor element 12, preferably of the type having striking surfaces or leading faces thereof of very hard or tough material, or of the type having replaceable striking surfaces, and conduit 18 supplying a plurality of nozzles 8I through pipe Ill) nipples I9 and pipe couplings 80. Nozzles M are preferably so placed with respect to rotor element I2 that their longitudinal axes lies in the central plane of rotation of rotor element 12. If conduit I8 were properly spaced from the periphery of rotor element 12, it would be possible for nozzles 8| to be screwed directly into conduit 18, thus eliminating pipe nipples l9 and pipe couplings 88, but as this would leave but little space between conduit 18 and the periphery of rotor element I2, this is not my preferred arrangement. The locationof conduit I8 within casing 59 is a convenient but not a necessary location in this adaptation of my machine, as, if desired, conduit I8 may be made a part of casing 59 or located outside of casing 59, nozzles 8 I being suitably connected to conduit I8. Rotor element I2 :omprises disc II and striking surfaces 13, and is firmly aflixed to outer end ll of shaft 54 by means including safety collar I'I. washer I5 and nut I5. The details of this assembly, including parts not shown in Figure 3, are shown in Figure 45 and will be described later. Casing 59 is provided with flange 58 to which is attached outlet duct 18. There is a large opening (not shown) in plate 84, the bottom of casing 59, and a corresponding opening in flange 59, both of which openings communicate directly with the interior of outlet duct 18,

by means of which casing 59 is drained. Gasket 89, "held in place by retaining strip 82, provides a tight seal between casing 59 and door 8| (not shown here but shown in Figure 5a) when door 8| is in place. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of conduit I8, to which is attached foot 288, one of a plurality of feet by which conduit I8 is securely attached by means of cap screws to back plate 68 of casing 59. Figure 4 also shows rotor element 12, conduit 18, nozzle 8| and associated parts. In operation of the adaptation of my machine shown in Figures 1 to 4,'a preferably continuous supply of liquid or slurry is delivered under pressure into conduit 18 by pipes 88 and 58-, and passes out, by means of pipe nipples I9 and pipe couplings 89, through nozzles 8i, as lets (not shown here), whereupon the jets are struck by the striking surfaces I9 of the ro tor element 12 as it rotates, and the liquid or slurry which has been struck discharges preferably continuously from casing 59 through outlet duct 10. v

Figure 5a shows door 5| which fits againstv the front of casing 59 as a removable closure. Into slots I82 and I82 of door BI, fit swing bolts 54 and 84' of casing 59, which are held securely by means of wing nuts 85 and 85' (all beingxshown in Figure 1). Handles 82 and 52 are ofasslstance in handling door 6 I. Figures 51) and 50 show the detail of the door fastening device for the bottom edge of door 8|. As previously explained. door Si is held to casing 59 by a substantial number of swing bolts 84, disposed around the periphery of casing '59, except at the bottom. There is not room for swing bolts at that point because of outlet duct I8, and hence the fastening'device shown in Figures 5b and 5c is preferably employed. In these figures, as before, 84 is the bottom plate of casing 59 to which is attached flange 59, and retaining strip 82 which retains gasket 83. In the forward extending portion-of flange 59 are drilled two holes 89 and 89' into which fit lugs 88 and 88" of fastenin bar 28I. Thumb screws 85 and 85 are screwed through threaded holes 81 in fastening bar "I against bottom portion of door 5!. By tightening thumb screws and 86', bottom portion of door 6| is c'aused to bear snugly against gasket 83. This arrangement, in connection with swing bolts 84, causes door 6i to make a liquid tight joint against gasket 03 of casing 59. When it is desired to release door 6|, wing nuts 65 and 65' are loosened, and swing bolts 64 and 64 swung out of slots I82 and I82 (Figure a) of door 6i, then thumb screws 86 and 86' are loosened, fastening bar 20I lifted out of place, thereby disengaging lugs 88 and 88' from holes 89 and 89'. and door 6i may then be removed, or swung out bi place (as described under Figures 9a, 9b and below).

The adaptation of my machine shown in Figures 6 to 8 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 4 primarily in that conduit 18a in Figure 6 is located on the rear and outside of casing 59 instead of inside as is conduit I8 in Figure 1, that nozzles 8| are adjustable (not shown in Figures 6 and 7, but shown in Figure 8), and that rotor element I2 (not shown in Figures 6 and '7, but shown in Figure 8) is preferably of the integral tooth type which is subjected to periodical machining or grinding to restore the general contour of the striking surfaces, and is thereby progressively decreased in diameter. (Rotor elements with the same type of striking surfaces as described for use in the adaptation of my machine shown in Figures 1 to 4 may of course, if desired, be used alternatively in the adaptation of my machine I am now describing.) The location of conduit 18a outside of casing 59 is a convenient but not a necessary location in this adaptation of my machine, as, if desired, conduit 1811 may be made a part of casing 59 or located inside of casing 59. The other numbered parts shown in Figure 6 are similar parts to those shown in Figure 1, with the exception of 68 and 90 (not shown in Figure 1), 68 being a pipe connecting into elbow fitting 61, and 90 being the flanged plate of conduit 18a, attached to back plate 60 of casing 59. Figure '7 shows the rear view of the casing end of the adaptation of the machine shown in Figure 6, while Figure 8 shows the front view of the casing end of the machine. Considering Figures 7 and 8 together, in operation a preferably continuous supply of liquid or slurry is delivered under pressure into conduit 18a by pipes 68 and 68', connected thereto by elbow fittings 61 and 61 and pipe nipples 66 and 66', and fed from conduit 18a through flexible hoses 93, connected into conduit 18a through back plate 60 of casing 59. I-rom flexible hoses 93, the liquid or slurry feeds through T fittings 95 to nozzles 8|, which are adjustable radially in respect to rotor element I2, and from nozzles 8i the liquid or slurry issues as jets (not shown here). Striking surfaces 13 of rotor element I2 as it rotates strike the jets of liquid or slurry issuing from nozzles 8i, and the liquid or slurry that has been struck discharges preferably continuously from casing 59 through outlet duct I0. Nozzles 8i are preferably so placed with respect to rotor element I2 that their longitudinal axes lie in the central plane of rotation of rotor element I2; As the diameter of rotor element I2 is decreased by periodic grinding, nozzles 8i may be advanced radially toward the center of rotation of rotor element I2 to maintain any desired distance between the orifice end of nozzles 8| and the periphery of rotor element 12. This may be accomplished by loosening lock nuts 98 on threaded rods 94, then loosening adjusting nuts. 97, sliding threaded rods 94 the appropriate distance toward rotor element 12 through the holes'in which they fit in ring 96, tightening adjusting nuts '91 and then tightening adjusting nuts 91 and lock nuts 98. In Figure 7, flanged plate of conduit 18a is attached to back plate 60 of casing 59 by cap screws 9i and 9i. Cap screws 92 and 92' fasten ring 96 (shown in Figure 8) to back plate 60 of casing 69 by feet III (not shown here but shown in Figure 410 to be described below) attached to ring 90. Other numbered parts shown in Figures '7 and 8 not already specifically referred to in the discussion of those figures and Figure 6, have already been discussed in connection with Figures 1 to 4.

It is, of course, possible to convert the adaptafor the door shown in Figure 10. This device v provides a means for handling a heavy door more conveniently, and may be mounted on the top of casing 59 in either adaptation of my machine shown above. The door is suspended from the suspension device and after loosening the fastenings which hold the door in place, the door may be swung to one side of casing 59, out of the way. In Figures 9a and 9b, plate 99 is supported by channels H0 and I I0 on one end of the top plate of casing 59. At the central rear portion of plate 99 is a hole through which extends upwardly bolt I 01 on to which is screwed, above the level of .plate 99, spacer collar I09. Bolt I01 further extends up through a hole in arm i0I, and, on the further end of bolt I01 above arm MI, is fitted thrust bearing I04 and finally nut I08. Bolt I01 serves as the pivot about which arm IOI may swing in a restricted arc in a horizontal plane. At approximately the middle point of the bottom side of arm IOI is fastened bracket I06 which positions and provides bearings for the journal ends of crowned rollers I05 and I05, by which arm IN is supported. Rollers I05 and I05 are adapted to roll in an arc, with bolt I01 as a center, on the upper face of plate 99 when the front end of arm IN is swung in the arc indicated by the curved arrow shown in Figure 9a. Hook I02, threaded at its upper end, extends upwardly through a hole in the front extremity of arm IOI, through thrust bearing I04 and finally nut I03. Door 8i of Figure 10 is provided with extension II2 perforated with hole I II into which fits the bottom (hooked) end of hook I02, and door 6! is thereby suspended therefrom. Hook I02 may be adjusted as to length by nut I03 so that the bottom edge of door 6i just clears flange 69 of casing 59 (shown in Figures 5b and 5c). When door 6I is to be used as closure for casing 59, arm IOI from which door 6| is suspended by hook I02 is swung into position shown in Figure 9a, and door 6i is then ready to be fastened into place by swinging swing bolts 64 and 64' into slots I82 and I82 and tightening wing nuts 65 and 65', and by employing the fastening bar device as shown in Figures 5b and 5c, tightening thumb screws 86 and 86' thereof. When it is desired to open door 6|, wing nuts 65 and 65' are loosened, swing bolts 64 and 64' are swung back out of slots I02 and I82, thumb screws 86 and- 86' (of Figures 5b and 5c) are loosened and fastening bar 20I is removed. Then door I. on being pulledforward by grasping handles 22 and 02' (Figure 5a) and following the direction of the curved arrow shown in Figure 9a, will arrive at a position at the side of easing I9, and substantially parallel to the side of casing 59, so that easy access may be had to the inside of casing II and the parts therein. Stop I acts to limit the swing of arm lIll by obstructing further travel of roller I05. Thrust bearings IN and Ill, as well as rollers I and'IllI', enable arm Ill and door SI to be easily swung around, whereby door GI may be readily opened by one man.

In order to operate either adaptation of my machine, shown respectively in Figures 1 to 4, and Figures 6 to 8. door BI is closed and fastened against casing", the electric current is switched on motor 5|, which causes rotor element I2 to revolve at a high rate of speed, and, preferably after rotor element I2 has attained full speed, liquid or slurry is delivered preferalbly continuously into conduit I8 (or Ila as the case may be) under pressure, from whence it discharges as jets through nozzles BI and is struck by striking surfaces I! of rotor element I2. The liquid or slurry after being struck goes to the bottom of casing 59 and is discharged by gravity from the casing through outlet duct 10.

Referring to the drawings, in respect to examples of various illustrative types and designs of rotor element which I may use in my machine, in Figures 11 and 12, II represents the central portion such as the disc of rotor element I2, adapted to be rotated in either direction, provided with central opening I I3 for attachment to shaft 54, to which it is secured by means of a key (not shown) in keyway III. II! represents the individual members of a series of projections, serrations, or teeth on the periphery of disc II, which constitute the striking surfaces of rotor element I2. While the faces of III, as shown, lie substantiallyin radial planes at right angles to the planes of rotation of rotor element 12, which is their preferred location, they may, if it is desired, lie in planes at an angle to such radial planes. In Figures 13 and 14, disc II of rotor element 12, adapted to be rotated in either direction, with central opening H3 for attachment to shaft 54 and keyway Ill, is provided with projections of which II6 is an individual member of a series arranged on one end face of disc II near its periphery, which constitute the striking surfaces of rotor element I2. As was the case in Figures 11 and-l2, here again the faces of H6 lie in radial planes at right angles to the planes of rotation of rotor element I2, which is their" preferred location, but they may, if it be desired, lie in planes at an angle to such radial planes.

In Figure 15, disc II of rotor element I2, with centralopening II3 for attachment to shaft 54 and keyway H4, is provided with blade I", an individual member of a series, a planview of which is shown in Figure 16, with a crescent-like cross section similar, to the blades of a steam turbine wheel, moving in the direction of the adjacent arrow, and arranged on the periphery of disc Ii, radially as shown, which is the preferable position, which constitute the striking surfaces of rotor element I2. In Figures 17 and 18, disc H8 and I I8 of rotor element I2, adapted to be rotated in either direction, provided with central opening H3 for attachment to shaft 54 and keyway III, are two in number, forming an annular space through which pins H9 and H9 pass into discs III and III. Hammers I20 and Ill, pivoted on pins H9 and I II, swing out preferably to substantially radial positions when discs III and Ill rotate, and constitute the striking surfaces of rotor element 12. In Figure'19, disk II of rotor element 12, adapted to be rotated in 7 either direction, is provided with projections or teeth of which I2I is an individual member of a series disposed around the periphery of disc II, which constitute the striking surfaces of rotor element I2, in this instance the faces of projections I being at an angle to the radial planes at right angles to the planes of rotation of rotor element I2. In Figure 20, disc II of rotor element I2, rotated preferably in the direction of the adjacent arrow, is provided with striking surfaces, in this case projections, of which I22 is an individual member of a series disposed around the periphery of disc II, in this instance being of V shape cross section. Rotor elements of the designs shown in Flgures'lfi, 16, 19 and 20 'are usually somewhat less emcient than the designs shown in the other figures.

In Figures21 and 22, rotor element I2 is a circular saw, with disc II, central opening II: for attachment to shaft 54 and keyway I, provided with striking surfaces, in this case teeth, of which I3 is an individual member of a series disposed around the periphery of disc II. In Figure 23 and Figure 24 (in perspective), an individual tooth I3 of circular saw I2 of Figure 21 is shown, moving in the direction of the adjacent arrow. Leading face I23 of tooth I3 lies substantially in a radial plane at right angles to the planes of rotation of circular saw 12. Rear face I24 of tooth I3, as shown, slopes away from leading face I23 at an angle of approximately 45. Rotor element I2 with teeth I3 of Figures 21 to 24, i. e. a circular saw with teeth of the type described, is my preferred rotor element for use in the second adaptation of my machine shown in Figures 6 to 8, wherein adjustable type nozzles are used.

The rotor element which I employ in the practice of my invention is, as previously indicated, subject to wear in respect to its striking surfaces. This is particularly the case when operating on material such as a slurry. Where the striking surfaces are integral with, and are machined directly from, the rotor element, if the rotor element itself is replaced when the striking surfaces are worn, this procedure is very expensive. The rotor element may, however, as stated above, where adjustable type nozzles are used as in the second adaptation of my machine, be remachined or the like to smaller diameter, which is an economical practice. Another method of handling the problem of wear is to make the striking surfaces themselves, or the teeth, separable and renewable.

In respect to inserted or renewable teeth circular saws suitable for my use, I shall now give several examples. Here again I prefer to have the leading faces of the teeth radial or substantially radial." In Figure 25, one type of an in serted tooth (or inserted point as they are sometimes called) circular saw is shown, illustrative of this variety of saw. Disc II of rotor element I2 (inthis instance an inserted tooth circular saw), with central opening- I I3 for attachment to shaft 54 and keyway I I4, is provided 11 cooperates with a tongue (not shown) in the edge of recess I of disc 'II. Tooth I25 is held from sliding out of place by rivet I21, which, as shown, extends for half its crcss-sectional area 'into, a properly shaped depression in tooth I25 and for the other half into a similarly shaped depression in disc II. Tooth I25 and rivet I 21 are replaceable. Tooth I25 may be ground if desired when worn, and when worn out may be replaced by new tooth I25. Figure 26 shows individual tooth I25 used in circular saw I2 of Figure 25, moving in the direction of the adjacent arrow. In Figure 27 is shown another type of an inserted tooth circular saw. Disc II of rotor element I2 (in this instance, also, aninserted tooth circular saw), with central opening 3 for attachment to shaft 54 and keyway I I4, is provided with inserted tooth I28. an individual member of a series inserted in the periphery of disc I I. Tooth I28 is positioned in disc II by a groove (not shown) milled in the entire edge of the tooth with the exception of its leading edge beyond disc II and the edge on its outer end. This groove cooperates, in the lower part of the leading edge of tooth I28, with a tongue (not shown) in the edge of recess I29 of disc I I, and tooth I28 is held in place by wedge I30 which is provided with a tongue (not shown) to fit in the groove in the rear edge of tooth I28, a groove (not shown) in the rear edge of wedge I30 cooperating with the tongue on the rear edge of recess I28 of disc II. By tapping down wedge I30, tooth I28 may be released. Conversely by tapping wedge I38 from its lower end towards the periphery of disc II, tooth I28 may be tightened into place. Both tooth I28 and wedge I38 are replaceable when worn. Tooth I28 may be ground if desired when worn, and when worn out may be replaced by new tooth I28. Ordinarily wedge I30 is not worn appreciably and will outlast a number of tooth I28 replacements. Figure 28 shows the individual inserted tooth I28 used in circular saw I2 of Figwe 27, moving in the direction of the adjacent arrow.

In Figure 29 is shown still another type of an inserted tooth circular saw. Disc 'II of rotor element I2 (in this instance, again, an inserted tooth circular saw), with central opening II3 for attachment to shaft 54 (not shown) and keyway H4, is provided with inserted tooth I3I, an individual member of a series inserted in the periphery of disc II. Tooth I3I is positioned in disc II by a tongue (not shown), milled along the portion of tooth I3I adjacent to holder I33, cooperating with a groove in the edge of holder I33, said groove (not shown) extending around the convex edge of holder I33 where it cooperates with a tongue (not shown) milled in the edge of recess I32 of disc II. Tooth I 3| is also provided with a groove (not shown) along its edge adjacent to disc 'II where it cooperates with the tongue milled in the edge of recess I32. Holder I33 is provided with an opening I34 into which may be fitted a tool (not shown) whereby holder I33 may be disengaged from disc II by a circular motion which removes it from recess I32, at the same time releasing tooth I3I. Tooth I3! is replaceable when worn by another tooth of similar design, which in turn is held in position by holder I33. Tooth I3l may be ground if desired when worn, and when worn out may be replaced by new tooth I3I. Ordinarily holder I33 is not worn appreciably and will outlast a number of tooth replacements. Figure 30 shows individual tOO h 12 I8I used in circular saw 12 of Figure 29, moving in the direction of the adjacent arrow.

In Figure 31 is shown still another type of an inserted tooth circular saw. This is. however, of a slightly different type from those previously illustrated in that each insert may contain, instead of one tooth, a plurality of teeth if desired, and also each insert may be ground substantially to the limit of the insert before discarding and replacing. This type of inserted tooth saw. it the inserted teeth are not to be ground. may be used in the first adaptation of my machine, namely where fixed type nozzles are used. but if the teeth are to be ground, which reduces the diameter of the saw somewhat, the saw is preferably used in the second adaptation of my machine. namely where adjustable type nozzles are used. In Figure 31, disc 'II of rotor element 12 (in this instance, again, as stated, a type of inserted tooth circular saw). with central opening H3 for attachment to shaft 54 and keyway H4, is provided with insert I83, an individual member of a series inserted in (that is to say, in this case aillxed to) the periphery of disc II. Insert I83 is provided with one or more teeth I84, four in number in the example illustrated, and is fastened to disc II by means of eyeletsISI inserted in holes I88 in insert I83 and extending through the corresponding holes in disc I I. After insertion. the unexpanded ends of eyelets I88 are slightly expanded. Holes I86 of both insert I83 and disc II are preferably countersunk at their outer ends. and eyelets I88 thus firmly attach insert I83 to disc I I. Figure 32 shows an enlarged view of insert I83. with teeth I84 and countersunk holes I86. The dotted line I8! indicates a shoulder on the rear side of insert I83, which fits snugly over cooperating projection I88 of disc II. This is shown clearly in Figure 33, a sectional view, where it is seen that the shoulder I81 abuts projection I88 of disc II, and likewise projection I89 of insert I83 abuts shoulder I80 of disc II.

Figure 34 illustrates, in perspective, tooth I38, such as used in circular saw I2 of Figure 25, moving in the direction of the adjacent arrow, and

similar to tooth I28, except that'it is provided with a very hard tip or facing I38.

As to the thickness of circular saws, the circular saws I have used have included saws $4 A" and 1%" thick. Practically, for eillcient operation, the saw. or the teeth in inserted tooth saws, should preferably be at least as thick as the diameter of th jet in order to hit the entire jet and not merely out through it longitudinally, and to be most effective should be somewhat thicker so as to allow for any endwise play in the bearings. any possible vibration in the saw, any broadening effect of the teeth on the jet, or any increase in diameter of the jet due, for example, to windage. It is well to provide a saw, or the teeth in an inserted tooth saw, of a thickness or approximately two to four times the diameter of the Jet (or nozzle channel) although the thickness may be greater if desired. Circular saws, or the teeth in inserted tooth circular saws. from /4" to in thickness will be found adequate in most cases.

In respect to nozzle placement in my machine, a variety of positions may be employed. For example, in one placement of the nozzles, the nozzle or nozzles may be so arranged that the jet or jets of liquid or slurry issuing therefrom may be directed against the teeth or other striking surfaces of the rotor element, (the striking surfaces having their leading faces preferably on radial planes, and at right angles to the planes of rota- 13 tion, of th rotor element). the jet or jets being preferably substantially in a planeof rotation of the rotor element. (the longitudinal axis of the Jet orjets being preferably in thecentral plane of rotation of. the rotor element). and as nearly tangential to the rotor element and as nearly at right angles to the leading faces of its striking surfaces at the point of contact as may be feasible, and travelling in a direction opposed to that of the rotation of the rotor element. a The area of contact of the jet and the striking surface is substantially the cross sectional area of the Jet. In a second placement of the nozzle, the jet or Jets of liquid or slurry may issue from a nozzle cr nozzles so situated that the Jet or Jets are in a plane or planes which may be substantially at right angles to the planes of rotation of the rotor element and preferably directed in a direction substantially at right angles to the planes of rotation of the rotor element, in such a position that the striking surfaces (preferably positioned as described under the description of the previous nozzle placement) of the rotor element strike the Jet or Jets. In this case the contact of the jet and the striking surface is on the cylindricalsurface of the jet (1. e. in the case of a jet issuing from a nozzle having a cylindrical channel). In a third placement of the nozzles, and this is my preferred placement thereof, the nozzle or nozzles. while as in the second placement they may be in a plane or planes which may be substantially at right angles to the planes of rotation of the rotor element. are so situated that the jet or jets issuing therefrom may-be in aplane of rotation of the rotor element, and preferably the longitudinal axis of, the jet or jets is in the central plane of rotation of the rotor element. The jet or jets are directed from preferably just beyond the'periphery of the rotor element in a direction preferably substantially radial to the rotor element and towards its center of rotation, and, when struck, are preferably substantially parallel to the leading face of its striking surface or surfaces (which again are preferably positioned as described under the description of the first nozzle placement). In this third nozzle placement, the contact of the jet and the striking surface is similar to that in the second placement just described, namely, on the cylindrical surface of the jet.

' The first nozzle placement referred to above is illustrated in Figure 35, which is an enlarged fragmentary portion of circular saw 12 shown in Figure 21. In Figure 35, disc 1| of circular saw 12 is provided with tooth 13, which strikes jet I 31, which issues from nozzle 8i (shown in fragmentary form) in the direction of the adjacent arrow. Nozzle 8i is fixedly positioned while circular saw 12 rotates in a direction toward nozzle 3|. When tooth 13 strikes Jet I31 there is naturally a spatterin of the end of the jet. This spattering is not shown. The second nozzle placement referred to above is illustrated in Figure 14 on line lib-43b of Figure 36a. In'Figure 36b, as in Figure 38a, disc 1| of circular saw 12 is provided with tooth 13 which strikes the end portion of Jet I31 which issues from nozzle ll (shown in fragmentary form) in the direction of the adjacent arrow. The distance jet I31 advances in front of the face of tooth "before being struck depends upon the relative speeds of circular saw 12 and Jet I31. The third nozzle placement referred to'abo've, my preferred placement, is illustrated in Figure 37a, which, like Figures 35 and 36a, is an enlarged fragmentary portion of circular saw 12 shown in Figure 21. In Figure 37a, disc H of circular saw 12 is provided with tooth 13, which strikes the end portion of let I31, which issues from nozzle 3| (shown in fragmentary form) in the direction of the adjacent arrow. The distance jet I31 advances in front of the face of tooth 13 before being struck depends on the relative speeds of circular saw 12 and jet I31. Nozzle 3| is fixedly positioned while circular saw 12 rotates in the direction of the curved-arrow. The tangent to circular saw 12 at its point of contact with jet I31 is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of jet I31, the longitudinal axis of jet I31 lying in a plane of rotation, and preferably in the central plane of rotation, of circular saw 12. When tooth 13 strikes jetl 31 there is naturally a spattering of the end portion of the jet. This is not shown. Figure 31b is a section on line 31b-31b of Figure 37a. 'In Figure 37b, as in Figure 37a, disc II of circular saw 12 is provided with tooth 13 which strikes the end portion of jet l31'which issues from nozzle 8|, the longitudinal axis of jet I31 lying substantially in the central plane of rotation of circular saw 12. The jets shown in Figures 35, 36a, 36b,

' possible to arrange the nozzle to deliver a jet exactly tangentially in order that the advancing 360;, which, like Figure 35, is an enlarged fragmentary portion of circular saw 12 shown in Figure 21. In Figure 36a, disc H of circular saw 12 is provided with tooth 13, which strikes the end portion of let I31 issuing from nozzle 8|. Nozzle II is fixedly positioned while circular saw 12 rotates in the direction of the arrow. The planes of rotation of circular saw 12 are substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of jet I31. When tooth 13 strikes Jet I31 there is naturally a spattering of the end portion of the jet'. This spattering is not shown. Figure 36b is a section tooth may strike it exactly at a right angle to the leading face of the tooth (unless the number of teeth be relatively limited) because of the interference with the jet by the teeth preceding the one which would otherwise hit the Jet at afright angle.

Cross reference is hereby made to my copending application Serial No. 436,196, filed March 25. 1942, now Patent No. 2,383,509, dated August 28,1945. z The second nozzle placement described above,

and shown in Figures 36a and 36b, namely, the

one in which the Jet or jets are directed substantially at right angles to the planes of rotation of the saw, near the periphery of the saw, also gives fairly satisfactory results, but has certain disadvantages particularly when using a saw with teeth out in the ordinary manner.

The third nozzle placement described above,

"and shown in Figures 37a and 37b, namely," the is repeated by each succeeding tooth. The entire jet as it advances is thus hit portion by portion, no part escapes being hit, and the jet being radial is struck by the radial face of the tooth in the direction of travel of the advancing tooth which provides the most effective blow. For these reasons, and also because of the ease of adjustment of the nozzle to progressively smaller saw diameters when employing the second adaptation of my machine, I prefer this third nozzle placement.

There is a slight modification of this third nozzle placement, 1. e. the radial nozzle placement, which may be used if desired, and that is a nozzle placement which delivers a Jet which has a direction at a slight angle to the radial toward the leading faces of the oncoming teeth. The object of this is so that the jet may be swerved back toward a radial position by the windage of the saw. If the jet is radial to start with it may be swerved slightly from the radial by the windage, but if it is slightly less than radial toward the oncoming teeth to start with, it may be swerved by the windage substantially into a radial direction at the point where it is hit by the teeth, and thus the eiliciency of the operation willbe improved. This situation is illustrated in Figure 39a, which shows circular saw tooth 13 of Figure 23 advancing in the direction of the adjacent arrow, with radial leading face I23, and nozzle 8| (shown in fragmentary form) in substantially radial position, from which, in the direction of the adjacent arrow, issues jet |31 originally substantially radial, but, as it advances, swerved slightly from a radial direction by the air current created by the rotating saw, 1. e. the windage, so that when hit by tooth I3, jet I3! is not travelling radially. Figure 39b shows circular saw tooth I3 of Figure 23, advancing in the direction of the adjacent arrow, with radial leading face I23, and nozzle (shown in fragmentary form) in a position slightly less than radial toward the oncoming tooth, from which. in the direction of the adjacent arrow, I issues jet I31, originally slightly less than radial toward the oncoming tooth, but as it advances swerved slightly by the windage into substantially a radial direction. The swerving effect of the windage on the Jet is greatly exaggerated in Figures 39a and 39b for purposes of illustration, as actually it is but slight at the jet speeds I prefer to employ and at the nozzle distance from the saw periphery at which I prefer to operate. .In addition to the swerving to tooth) of the circular saw to be .5". a convenient distance to use in a circular saw of the integral tooth type which I may employ. and assuming the speed of the issuing Jet to be 100 feet per second, and that of the periphery of the saw to be 460 feet per second, the jet thus travels 21.7% as fast as the saw. travelling radially about .11" while the saw travels peripherally .5". Thus the length of the cylindrical jet cut off by each saw tooth is about .11" long. By a calculation similar to the above, it is found that with a jet speed of 186 feet per second the let advances approximately .2" between teeth, while with a jet speed or 556 feet per second. it advances approximately .6". Inasmuch as the depth of the gullet between the teeth for a saw with teeth .5" from point to point is usually only about .375", and as the backs of the teeth usually slope down at an angle of approximately 45, it is apparent that with a jet speed of 556 feet per second the jet hits at least part of the sloping back of the tooth between each two teeth, as well as probably the bottom of the gullet between each two teeth, about one third the total length of the jet between each two successive teeth hitting these surfaces and only about two-thirds of its length (limited to the depth of the gullet) being struck a blow by the oncoming tooth at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the jet. Thus it is apparent that the optimum effect to be obtained by the striking of the radial tooth faces against the jet is secured when the speed of the issuing jet is less than that whichwould bring the Jet into contact with the back of the teeth or the bottom of the gullets. Within this limitation, the speed of the jet should preferably be great enough substantially to overcome the swerving and dispersing effects on the jet caused by the windage of the saw at the nozzle distance intended to be employed.

As previously indicated herein, I may use one nozzle or a plurality of nozzles, and from a practical standpoint I prefer to use as many nozzles as it is feasible to position conveniently around the periphery of the circular saw (or other rotor element) in order, among other reasons. to obtain adequate capacity of liquid or slurry delivered intothe path of the teeth of the circular saw. taking into consideration the channel diameter of the nozzles employed. Figure 40 shows an enlarged fragmentary portion of circular saw I2 of Figure 21, with a plurality of nozzles arranged ad- I jacent thereto. The leading faces of teeth 13,

direction toward the oncoming teeth, I prefer the radial placement as being substantially as emcient under the conditions I prefer to operate and as being a somewhat simpler arrangement mechanically.

The Jet or jets issuing from the nozzle or nozzles of my machine may have any desired speed, e. g., as low as 23 feet per second as shown in my above referred to application Serial No. 718.649, Table X, but in respect to speed of jet. there is a fundamental consideration which should be taken into account, namely, the distance the jet will travel radially while the saw moves forward one tooth. As an example, assuming the distance from point to point (i. e. tooth arranged on the periphery of disc ll of circular saw 12, movingin the direction of the adjacent arrow, strike the end portions of jets I31 issuing .in a substantially radial direction toward the I31 and individual nozzle 8| in Figure 37a.

I have stated'that, when using circular saws with integral teeth which are periodically ground such as for use in the second adaptation of my machine, the nozzles should preferably be adjustable radially in respect to the circular saw in order that they may be adjusted to compensate for the decrease in diameter of the saw due to grinding. This adjustable feature is shown in Figure 8 and has already been described. However there are some further details of this feature whichI shall now discuss more fully. Figure 41a. is further illustrative of the construction for ad- Justing nozzles radially shown in Figure 8, but in plug which has been drilled longitudinally with .an appropriate size drill, and which 'is screwed tightly. into the lower end of T fitting 95, into the other end of which is screwed threaded rod 94,

with a pipe, thread on the end screwed into the- T fitting 95,.so that a solid and tight connection may be made. Into the side outlet (facing forward in Figure 41a) of T fitting 951s connected union hose coupling I42, to the other end of which is clamped flexible hose 93 (shown in frag- A supply of liquid or slurry is fed into 'a'conduit (not shown here but corresponding for example to conduit 18a of Figures 6 and '7) which feeds the other and (not shown) of hose 93.- Threaded rod 94 is slidable in hole I drilled in ring. 96

(shown in fragmentary form). Ring 96 is suitably made from a bar of steel, of square, or rectangular cross section, rolled,.and welded into a continuous ring which surrounds the periphery of circular saw 12 and which is rigidly attached to back plate 60 of casing 59 (neither shown here, but shown in Figures 6 and 7) in which circular saw 72 rotates. by adjusting nuts 91 and 91' and lock nut 98. By loosening both lock nut 98 and adjusting nut 91' the appropriate amount, threaded rod 94 may be advanced radially toward the center of rotation of circular saw 12, and when the proper adjustment has been made, threaded-rod 94 may be fixed in place by tightening adjusting nuts 91 and 91', and held securely in that position by tightening lock nut 98. It will be apparent that if circular saw 12, of which 13 isa tooth, is ground and decreased in diameter, nozzle 8l may be adfclamp I43, and pipe nipple 202.

' mentary end'view) by means of hose clamp I43.

Threaded rod 94'is held in place in Figure 7), and .into'conduit 18a is introduced by suitable means such use. pump (not shown),

but shown in Figure 7). a supply of liquid or slurry for supplying nozzle 61 through hose 93. Flanged plate 90 of conduit 18a is attached toback plate by cap screws and 9|. nipple H8 is inserted through a hole in back plate 60, and screwed into a threaded hole in flanged plate ,99 of conduit 16a to make a pressure tight connection, the other end of pipe nipple I18 being screwed into one end of union coupling I42. Hose 93 is attached to the other end of union coupling I42 and held tightly in place by hose clamp I43; and the other end-of hose 93 is attached to the side outlet of T fitting 95 in a similar manner with union coupling I42, hose As will be apparent, in Figures 4112 and 410, the liquid or slurry travels from conduit 18a through pipe nipple I18 and hose coupling I42, through hose 93 in the direction of the adjacent arrow, through hose coupling I42 and pipe nipple 262,'through T fitting 95 and out nozzle 9! as jet I31, in the. direction of the arrow adjacent thereto. Threaded rod 94 is shown in Figure 410 in fragmentary form in order not to obscure the connection of hose 93 at its conduit end. Ring 96 (shown in ross section in Figure 410) is positioned'in respect to the back plate 69 by aseries of spaced feet l9l suitably six in number (only one of which is shown) suitably welded on ring 96 and attached firmly to back plate 66 by'means of cap screw 92, fitting through a hole in back plate 69, and being screwed into a threaded hole in foot l8l. Ring 96 is thus firmly attached to back plate 66, threaded rod 94 is firmly fastened. by adjusting nuts 91, 9'land lock nut 98 in ring 96,

T fitting 95 is firmly secured to threaded rod 94, I and thus nozzle 8|, which is firmly secured in T fitting 95, is rigidly held in position in respect I totooth 13 of circular saw 12, butis adjustable vanced radially an appropriate amount to main-,.

-72 of larger diameter than worn circular saw 12 of reduced diameter previouslyused, nozzles 8| may be retractedradially by appropriate adjustment of adjusting nuts 91 and 9'! and lock nut 98, and then held at the desired, position by tightening these nuts.

Figure 412) is a view of the nozzle adjustment construction shown in Figure 4111, but in Figure 41b hose 93, instead of being shown only in fragmentary end view, is shown completely in Plan. In Figure 41b, in order not to confuse the drawing with detail, union couplings I42 and I42, and hose clamps 1'43 and I43, one of eachfor each end of hose 93, are not shown.(these being shown in Figure 41c). As will be seen from Figure 41b,

hose 93 is connected at one end into side outlet (facing forwardin' Figure 41b) of T fitting 95 and at the other end at back plate 66, shown in a side view of Figure 41b. In Figure 410, back plate-66, conduit 19a. and ring 96, among other fragmentary form '(of'ca'sing 59), Figure 410 is parts, are shown in cross section. Conduit 18a is constructed of sides I19 and I19; rearplate I89 and flanged plate 90, secured to each other radially in respect thereto. (Instead of using threaded rod 94, and adjustingnuts 91 and 91' and lock nut 98, the rod may, if desired, be made smooth so as to be a sliding fit in hole l4! of ring 96, be adjusted in position in hole IM, and'held e. grby a set screw inserted in' an' appropriate. hole inithe front-sideof ring 96'at right angles. 7

toholeHi.) v v The radial nozzle adjustment shown in Figures 41a, 41b and 410, provides a means for ,maintain-,

ing a how of liquid or slurry from nozzle 8| throughout the entirerange ofadjustment of threaded rod 94, as when threaded-rod '9 is advanced through ring 96, hose 93 is su ciently long to, take care of this advance, and 'when threaded rod 94 is retracted, hose 93 by bowing out slightly, adjusts itselfto the new position. Figures 41a, 41b and 410 thus make clear one illustrative device by which a nozzle may be ad justable radially while means for supplying liquid or slurry thereto is maintained.

If the nozzles and nozzle attachments are accurately'made, as is my customary practice, a radial adjustmentsuchas shown in Figures 41a, 41b and 410, is all that is required. But if not, it is desirable to have adjustment possible in all directions, so that any slight inaccuracy in machining or in the nozzles themselves may be allowed for, and the nozzles set to deliver the jets accurately in a substantially radial direction, in a plane of rotation of the saw, with the longitudinal axes of the jets centered midway across the thickness of the saw. Figure 42 illustrates a Pipe I x 19 nozzle adjustment device, in perspective, wherein the nozzle is adjustable not only radially but in all other directions. In Figure 42 is shown, in addition to the associated adjusting equipment, only threaded rod 94 and its adjusting attachments, it being understood that rod 94 connects preferably into the same type of T fitting 95 with its other attachments as shown in Figures 41a, 41b and 410, although T fitting 95, with its other attachments, is not shown in Figure 42. Threaded rod 94 is slidable in hole I4I drilled in block I44, and positioned by adjusting nuts 91 and 91, and locked in place by lock nut 99. In hole I45 drilled in block I44 at right angles to and set apart from hole I4I, slides rod I46, which may be fixed tightly in the desired position in hole I45 by set screw I41. The other end of rod I46 slides in hole I49 of block I48, of the same construction as block I44, having two holes I49 and I 50 drilled therein at right angles to and set apart from one another. Rod I48 is fixed tightly in the desired position in hole I49 by set screw II. In hole I50 slides rod I52, which is fixed tightly in the desired position by set screw I53. The other end of rod I52 is threaded at its extremity and screwed tightly into threaded hole I54 in back plate 60 (of casing 59), a fragmentary portion of plate 60 being shown. As will be apparent, by the adjustment device of Figure 42, nozzle 8I (not shown), but attached as previously described to threaded rod 94, is adjustable in all direction:- may be set accurately to the desired position, 8.! may be advanced or retracted radially as desired.

Instead of the union hose couplings I42 and I42 which are shown in conjunction with hose clamps I43 and I43 to connect flexible hose 93 to T 95 as shown in Figures 41a and 410, there may be used half union and nut fittings, in connection with a tubing capable of being secured by a flared end. A metallic tubing may be used if it may be bent into proper shape without injury, but I prefer to use a flexible or semi-flexible tubing of plastic material such as Saran or other plastic for my purpose. By the use of this type of tubing, instead of flexible hose 93 which may suitably be of the fabric reinforced rubber type, I am able to employ a simpler fitting yet one fully as easy of connection as union hose couplings I42 and I42 and hose clamps I43 and I43, shown in Figures 41a and 410. Figure 43 is a sectional view of such a fitting. In Figure 43, numeral I55 represents a length of tubing such as Saran tubing (in fragmentary form), end I56 of which is fiared to fit into nutl51, which may also be of a plastic such as Saran, or of metal if desired. Nut I51 screws on to half union I58 to make a leak proof joint by pressure on flared end I58 of tubing I55, between joint surface I59 of half union I58 and joint surface I80 of nut I51, and to hold fiared end I56 firmly in place. The outer end I8I of half union I58 is threaded to fit into the side outlet of T 95 (shown in Figure 41a, 41b and 410, but not shown here). Half union I58 may also be either of plastic such as Saran, or metal as desired. For the attachment of the other end (not shown) of tubing I55 into conduit 18a (not shown but shown in Figure 410) a similar fitting consisting of a half union and a nut may be used and connected by an ordinary pipe coupling to pipe nipple I18 (not shown, but shown in Figure 410), or the half union may if desired be of a female construction at its outer end for screwing on to the male pipe thread of pipe nippi I18, instead of being provided with a male pine thread as shown for half union I55 at I6I.

An example of such a. preferred type of nozzle is shownin Figures 44a and44b. In these figures,

8| is a. nozzle, made for example from a steel pipe plug, .haVing a square end I62 adapted for taking a wrench, and male pipe threaded end I53, adapted to be screwed into a corresponding female thread (such for example as in the lower end of T fitting in Figures 41a, 41b and 410). I64 is a cylindrical channel of appropriate size, drilled in-nozzle 8I centered on its longitudinal axis. The liquid or slurry passes through nozzle 8| in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 44a, the jet issuing from the orifice end of nozzle 8| opposite the end adjacent the arrow.

As specific illustration of such a pipe plug nozzle, I can state that I have found that a nozzle made from a. solid steel pipe plug, that is to say a pipe plug suitable for screwing into a A," female pipe thread, is very satisfactory. The length of such plugs is approximately .75", and the length of the cylindrical channel drilled therein is thus also approximately .75" as the channel is drilled on the longitudinal axis of the plug. The diameter of the channel is approximately .070" in one case, and approximately .090" in another. Nozzles with a channel diameter as small as .0277" may be used, as shown in my above referred to application Serial No. 718,649.

As stated previously herein, the disclosure of my above referred to copending application Serial No. 449,492 describes the treatment of material. particularly pigment such as calcium carbonate suspended in a liquid, by means of the machine described and claimed herein. Other pigments in liquid suspensions may also be treated. Th machine will also find use in treatment not only of suspensions or dispersions of solids in liquids, but also in the treatment of mor thanone substance, material or liquid fed to it at the same time, in the treatment of one liquid suspended in another such as emulsions, as well as in the treatment of colloidal suspensions and liquids. The liquid used in the abov solutions, mixtures, suspensions, emulsions and the like may be water. aqueous liquids, non-aqueous liquids inorganic or organic, examples of the latter being organic solvents, oils or the like; or liquefied gases may be used, or gas in solution in a liquid, if the machine is employed under pressure or at a sufficiently low temperature, or liquefied solids may be used if the machine is employed at a temperature sufficiently high for the purpose.

While I have stated that the rotor element in my machine may be driven by a directly connected motor or steam turbine, any other source of motive power may be employed as the driving means; and if desired, the driving means may be indirectly connected.

While my rotor element may be driven at any peripheral speed desired, any peripheral speed of the rotor element lower than 30 feet per second has practically little if any effect and therefore I do not prefer to operate at lower than that peripheral speed. Actually peripheral speeds of 30 feet per second or somewhat higher, while having an appreciable effect, have only a relatively small effect. Since the effect increases as the peripheral speed increases, I therefore prefer to use higher peripheral speeds, for example 300 to 600 feet a second or thereabouts. A 3600 R. P. M. motor (approximately 3520 R. P. M. under load) directly connected to a 36" diameter circular saw gives a peripheral speed of 553 feet per second with a correspondingly lower speed as the circular i 21 v Saw is decreased in diameter by periodic grind ing. It generally does not pay to grind the saw much belowz' in diameter, which reduces the peripheral speed to about 369 feet per second, as usually the increased efliciency obtained by replacing the worn saws with new saws is worth more than the cost of the replacement saws.

While, of course, other. means for supplying the liquid or slurry under pressure to the nozzles may be employed, a. suitable pump is very convenient for the purpose. -My machine may, if desired, be so constructed that, the casing in which the rotorelement operates may be maintained either under atmospheric,

'superatmospheric or subatmospheric pressure,

that is. in regard to the pressure of the gas such asair, surrounding the rotor element. Superatmospheric pressures surrounding the rotor element would appear to have no decided advantage, except when treating some volatile material or material containing a constituent which it was desired to retain therein, such as a gaseous constituent, which would otherwise be released at atmospheric pressure. might be of some advantage under some conditions, such as by the reduction or elimination of air resistance to the rotor element and by permitting better striking by the striking surfaces of Subatmospheric pressure both .sides' of the periphery of the rotor element, such as I provide in the two adaptations of my machine shown in Figures 1 to 4,-and 6 to 8 respectively, as this permits the immediate freeing or the liquid from the tooth surfaces, keeping them clear for the striking of the next successive jet. It is thus evident that any arrangement whereby pockets or buckets might be formed by the striking surfaces such as teeth or the like of a rotor element by plates or the like, for example located on the end surfaces of a circular saw or other rotor element, the plates being for instance of substantially the same diameter as the rotor element from the outer extremity of one striking surface to the outer extremity of the diametrically opposite striking surface, would have a very bad effect on the efliciency of my machine, as it would result in flooding the pockets or buckets so formed v with liquid or slurry, and thus would tend to prethe rotor element by reducing or eliminating any slurry per minute. In practice, for such operation I employ a 75 H. P. motor. Where I wish-to.

treat 85 or 90 gallons per minute I employ a larger motor, usually one' of 125 H. P.

I have made a stroboscopic examination of my 'machine'in operation on water employing only one jet, the. machine being equipped with a glass door for observational purposes, in order to determine the actual course taken by the liquid or slurry after it has been struck by the rapidly moving saw tooth. The splattered water came out as a kind ofv sheet tangential to the saw, the

forming edge of the sheet which could be seen being slightly forward of'the radial plane of the face of the tooth in question which was held apparently motionless bythe stroboscope. With one jet, therefore, the saw splattered water in a tangential sheet in all directions slightly forward (inthe direction of rotation of the saw) of the radialplane of the tooth. When using a plurality of nozzles, the forward part of the sheet of splattered water from one jet is naturally checked and merges with the forming edge of the sheet of splattered water. from the succeeding jet.

Thus when employing a plurality of nozzles, particularly nozzles spaced reasonably closelyaround the periphery of the circular saw, as is my preferred positioning of the nozzles, the thus impeded splatter from the striking of the jets by the saw teeth becomes, in essence, substantially a cylindrical surface of a diameter approximating that ofthe saw, the cylindrical surface being substantially concentric with the shaft of the saw, and rotating slowly in the direction of rotation of the saw with little force. It is evident that it is highly desirable to provide open space on vent the entry of the tip ends of the successive jets in front of what should ideally be the substantially liquid free faces of the striking surfaces of the rotor element. It is thus evident that, because of the great loss of efliciency entailed by its use, any such design-of a rotor elementis not my preferred design, and in fact the use of a rotor element such as a circular saw presents a very great advantage over any such design.

So far in this specification I have described my machine chiefly from the standpoint of the treatment of liquids and slurries therein. It is, however, applicablealso for the treatment of material other than in liquid form. I shall now illustratesuch use, particularly by reference to two other of my copending applications.

In my copending application, Serial No. 453,469,

filed August 3, 1942, now abandoned, to which cross reference is hereby made, the disclosure of which is made a part hereof, and of which the present application is also'a continuation in part, I have disclosed a process, and machines for conducting the same wherein material, particularly calcium carbonate, associated with liquid so that it exists in paste form, is, in one adaptation of said process extruded under pressure through a nozzle, e. g. by means of a screw conveyor device, in the formof a cylinder, ribbon, sheet'or the like, in close proximity to the periphery of a rapidly rotating element, such as a circular saw,

whereby the paste is struck by the teeth of the.

circular saw, Thus it is apparent that said process maybe carried out in my machine by providing therein a nozzle or nozzles, adapted for the extrusion therefrom under .pressure of materials ,in pasteconditionrasa jet or jets,in the form of a cylinder, ribbon, sheet or the like, into the path of the'rotor element. The machine isdescribed, but not claimed, in my copendin'g application Serial No. 453,469. The machine is claimed herein."

A simple nozzle with feed device broadly described in my saidcopending application, is shown herein in oneform in Figure 45 for purposes of illustration. In Figure 45, 203 is the cylindrical body of a feed device for feeding material in paste form to one or more nozzles. Cylindrical body 203 is fed by hopper 204, into which paste is supplied. The paste is transferredfrom hopper 204 through cylindrical body 203 by means of screw conveyor 205 preferably of heavy construction, fitting cylindrical body 203 fairly snugly, mounted on shaft 206, and 'driven by any suitable meanssuch as gear 201. The direction of rotation of screw conveyor 205,15 such that the paste is advanced in the direction of the arrow adjacent to cylindrical body 203. i The paste is then extruded through nozzle 208, in the direction of the adjacent arrow, as a jet (not shown) intended to be a continuous cylinder, but which may also be a continuous ribbon, sheet or the like of the paste. The cross sectional area of cylindrical body 203 is preferably much larger than the cross sectional area of the channel of nozzle 208, and thus the rotation of screw conveyor 205 builds up a pressure at the inlet of nozzle 20B resulting in the extrusion of paste therefrom under pressure. This pressure may be regulated by the speed at which screw conveyor 205 is driven. The jet of paste is extruded into the path of, and is struck by, striking surface 13 of rotor element 12 (shown in fragmentary form) traveling in a direction directly forward (toward the observer). While Figure 45 shows my preferred construction and positioning of such a nozzle and feed device, of course, if desired, the longitudinal axis of cylindrical body 203 may be arranged in a plane of rotation of rotor element 12, instead of at right angles thereto as illustrated, or in any other desired position, and the jet of paste may be extruded in the various directions in respect to rotor element J2 as already described herein for jets of liquid. Manifestly, also, the jet of paste may be merely one of a plurality of such jets arranged adjacent to the periphery of rotor element 12; and either a single nozzle of the type illustrated, or a .plurality if used, may be adjustable in respect to the periphery of rotor element 12, to provide for change in diameter thereof, if the rotor element employed be of such a type. The struck paste is removed by suitable means.

In my copending application, Serial No. 455,- 367, filed August 19, 1942, now abandoned, to which cross reference is hereby made, the disclosure of which is made a part hereof, and of which the present application is a continuation in part, I have disclosed a process, and machines for conducting the same, wherein material, particularly calcium carbonate, either in dry form, 'or associated with sufficient liquid so that it exists in slightly moist form (but with insufllcient liquid to form a paste), is, in two of its adaptations, either extruded under pressure through a nozzle in shaped condition as a kind of a solid jet or jets in the form of a continuous cylinder, ribbon, sheet or the like, in close proximity to the periphery of a rapidly rotating element, such as a circular saw, or is blown in finely divided form by means of air, steam or other gas through a nozzle, likewise in close proximity to the periphery of a rapidly rotating element, such as a circular saw, whereby the jet of extruded material, or the jet consisting of the stream of gas containing finely divided material, respectively, is struck by the teeth of the circular saw. Thus it is apparent that either adaptation of said process may be carried out in my machine by providing therein a nozzle or nozzles adapted for the extrusion therefrom under pressure of material in dry or somewhat moist condition as a kind of solid jet or jets into the path of a rotor element, or by providing a nozzle or nozzles adapted for conveying finely divided solid material in a stream of gas as a jet or jets into the path of a rotor element. The machine is described, but not claimed, in my copending application Serial No. 455,367. The machine is claimed herein. A nozzle and feed device similar in general to that shown in Figure 45 is suitable for the extrusion of material in dry or somewhat moist condition as a kind of a jet or jets. This has already been broadly described in my said copending application A nozzle and feed device suitable for conveying finely divided solids with a gas under pressure, such as air, steam or the like. is also broadly described in said copending application, and one form of this is shown herein in Figure 46 for purposes of illustration. In Figure 46, 209 is a pipe (shown in fragmentary form) for conveying gas, such as air or steam, under pressure in the direction of the arrow adjacent thereto. Hopper 2"] (shown in fragmentary form), containing the material to be treated in finely divided form (under pressure if desired), is connected into the side of pipe 209 diagonally in the direction of the gas stream in pipe 209. The stream of gas passing the junction of hopper 2H! and pipe 209 blows the finely divided material from hopper 2 l o with it through nozzle 2 I, from which issues.

in the direction of the adjacent arrow, a Jet (not shown) consistin of gas and finely divided ma-, terial, into the path of, and isstruck by, striking surface I3 of rotor element 12 (shown in fragmentary form) traveling in a direction directly forward (toward the observer). While Figure 46 shows my preferred construction and position of such a nozzle and feed device, of course, if desired, the nozzle and feed device may be arranged in any other desired position, and the jet may issue in the various directions in respect to rotor element 12 as already described herein for jets of liquids. Manifestly, also, the jet may be merely one of a plurality of jets arranged adjacent to the periphery of rotor element 12; and either a single nozzle of the type illustrated, or a plurality if used, may be adjustable in respect to the periphery of rotor element I2, to provide for change in diameter thereof, it the rotor element employed be of such type.

Where I use the word liquids, I mean it to include not only readily flowable liquids or suspensions or the like, but also, thick and viscous liquids or suspensions or the like, up to the point where they may approach the plastic or even pasty condition. I

When a jet, or its longitudinal axis, is stated herein or in the claims, to lie in a plane of rotation, or be located in a plane of rotation of a rotor element, such for example as a circular saw, it is intended to mean that a plane of rotation of said rotor element passes through said jet substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said jet.

By the word element I mean the whole unit employed and not merely a part thereof; and :by the word member, e. g. as of an element, I mean a. part thereof, either integral or connected therewith.

-Asindicated above, the apparatus has important uses in various fields, and it is particularly valuable in the treatment of such material as artificially prepared calcium carbonates used, for example, in coated paper or in .water paints. The use of the present apparatus reduces the oil absorption of artificially prepared calcium carbonate used in paints, enamels, etc., and greatly reduces the adhesive requirements of such material used, for example, in coated paper or in water paints.

Where in the claims I speak of "high peripheral speed," I mean a peripheral speed of not less than 30 feet per second, and preferably much higher, such for example as the peripheral speeds higher than 30 feet per second previously cited herein.

Cross reference is hereby made to mycopendaesaoee ing application Serial Number 346,661, filed July 20, 1940, now Patent No. 2,385,379, dated September 25, 1945.

While I have described in detail the preferred embodiments of my invention, it-will be.understood that these are presented for purposes of illustration only, are not limiting, and may be widely varied without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for treating a liquid slurry of material by impact shock, comprising a disc rotatable in one direction, means for rotating said disc at a high peripheral speed in said direction, said disc being provided with peripheral teeth each having a leading face lying substantially in a plane containing the axis of rotation of said disc and a following face sloping inwardly away from said direction of rotation, a plurality of circumferentially spaced nozzles substantially surrounding the periphery of said disc and substantially equidistantly spaced from said teeth, means for supplying the slurry material to said nozzles under pressure, said nozzles being positioned in the plane of rotation of said disc and being so oriented as to provide substantially radial jets which are struck by said leading faces when said disc is rotating, the width of said teeth and the thickness of said disc adjacent thereto being at least equal to and only slightly greater than the width of said jets whereby substantially all of the slurry material from said jets will be struck by said leadingfaces and will immediately be discharged therefrom, and a casing enclosing said disc and said nozzles, said casing having walls all of which are spaced from said teeth sufficiently to prevent substantial recontact of the slurry material with said teeth.

2. Apparatus for treating a liquid slurry of 0 material by impact shock, comprising a disc rotatable in one direction, means for rotating said disc at a high peripheral speed in said direction, said disc being provided entirel therearound with closely arranged peripheral teeth each having a leading face lying substantially in a plane containing the axis of rotation of said disc, a plurality of circumferentially spaced nozzles adjacent the periphery of said disc and substantially equidistantly spaced from said teeth, means for supplying the slurry material to said nozzles under pressure, said nozzles being positioned in the plane of rotation of said disc and being so oriented as to provide substantially radial jets which are struck by said leading faces when said disc is rotating, the width of said ,teeth and the thickness of said disc adjacent thereto being at least equal to and only slightly greater than the width of said jets whereby substantially all of the slurry material from said jets will be struck by said leading faces and will immediately be discharged therefrom, and a 035- ing enclosing said disc and said nozzles, said casing having walls all of which are spaced from Number Name Date 120,246 Coogan Oct. 24, 1871 179,401 Coogan July 4, 1876 1,062,307 Stobie May 20, 1913 1,165,033 Stobie Dec. 21, 1915 1,577,052 Auspitzer Mar. 16, 1926 1,683,500 Thordarson Sept. 4, 1928 1,764,020 Hopkins June 17, 1930 1,872,891 Church Aug. 23, 1932 2,077,226 de Bethune Apr. 13, 1937 2,125,298 Kehoe Aug. 2, 1938 2,141,662 Osslng Dec. 27, 1938 2,148,448 Edwards Feb. 28, 1939 2,155,697 Young Apr. 25, 1939 2,164,409 Johnson July 4, 1939 2,190,922 Heath Feb. 20, 1940 2,207,194 Gruendler July 4, 1940 2,228,287 Shaw Jan. 14, 1941 2,241,425 Schmidt May 13, 1941 2,255,213 Good Sept. 9, 1941 2,257,341 Jepson Sept. 30, 1941 2,278,459 McCashen Apr. 7, 1942 2,287,067 Schmidt June 23, 1942 2,316,124 Sheldon Apr 6, 1943 said teeth suiliciently to prevent substantial recontact of the slurry material with said teeth.

3. Apparatus adapted for treating a liquid slurry of a material such as a pigment by impact shock, comprising a circular saw rotatable in one direction, means for rotating said saw at a peripheral speed in said direction not lower than substantially 30 feet per second and not higher than substantially 600 feet per second, said saw being provided with peripheral teeth each having a leading face lying substantially in a plane containing the axis of rotation of said saw, and a following face sloping inwardly away from said direction of rotation, at least one nozzle positioned adjacent the periphery oiflsaid saw, means for supplying the slurry material to said saw under pressure to deliver a jet having a speed not lower than substantially 23 feet per second and not higher than substantially 556 feet per second, said nozzle being so positioned in the plane of rotation of said saw and being so oriented as to provide a substantially radial jet which is struck by said leading faces when said saw is rotating, the width of said teeth being at least equal to, and not greater than approximately 4 times, the width of said jet whereby substantially all of the slurry material from said jet will be struck by said leading faces and will immediately be discharged therefrom, and a casing ,enclosing said saw and said nozzle, said casing having walls all of which are spaced from said teeth sufficiently to prevent substantial recontact of the slurry material with said teeth. HAROLD R. RAFTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

